Why choose this course

Our full-time MBA and executive (part-time) MBA courses are a transformational learning experience. We’ll do more than change your career prospects: we want to change the way you think. We achieve this through the interplay of theory and practice, supporting your learning with up-to-date management theory and engagement with industry practitioners.

To reflect best practice in the business world, our course is integrative and inter-disciplinary. Our modules are connected in meaningful ways, allowing you to cross-pollinate content from across the wider MBA experience. With a digital, agile and entrepreneurial approach, you’ll leave prepared to lead the way in a rapidly changing business world.

We are ranked in the top 10 for business and economics in the United Kingdom by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020.

What you will study

We believe that truly successful careers are fuelled by visionary leadership, a profound sense of responsibility and the ability to create and develop innovative and sustainable opportunities. These principles are fundamental to both our research and the Surrey MBA experience, which provides a careful balance between theory and practice in preparation for the realities of the modern business landscape.

Our full-time MBA and executive (part-time) MBA courses are highly relevant for anyone looking to develop their career and leadership capability with their current employer or make a transition to broaden their skills and connections with a view to starting something new.

Study and work abroad

International study tour

Our optional two-week international study tour, gives you a unique opportunity to learn first hand about international business. You will travel to a selected international destination, take part in company visits and be lectured by top international academics at partner universities. In addition to learning, you will also have the opportunity to explore your destination's top attractions and landmarks.

Previous tours

Our previous tours have seen our students travelling to Beijing, China.

Company visits included:

Baidu

Intel

Microsoft

Lecture topics included:

Chinese brand marketing

Consumer behaviour in China

Entrepreneurship and investments

Strategic management of corporations of the internet era in China.

Professional recognition

MBA - Association of MBAs (AMBA)Accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

MBA - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Careers and graduate prospects

Personal careers advisor

As part of this course, you will have access to professional coaching and careers experts to provide you with support that is tailored to your individual requirements.

From the moment you start with us, you will be connected with a careers advisor who will provide direction in a number of areas:

Professional positioning training, including advice on the MBA job market, developing a positioning strategy, CV building and online networking

Professional positioning in person including interview preparation, group dynamics and assessment, pitching yourself and presentations

Professional positioning on paper

Mock interviews

Mock assessments

One-to-one coaching throughout the MBA.

Mentoring scheme

As part of the MBA programme, we will pair you with a mentor relevant to your sector, profession and personality. Our mentors are experienced executives, CEO’s and leaders from technology, engineering, marketing, business and the third sector industries, among others. As your relationship grows, so will your understanding and confidence discussing and applying real examples from the business world.

Business breakfasts

We host regular business breakfasts with guest speakers including our alumni, partners and mentors. These events give you the opportunity to connect with global business professionals in an open and informal environment. Each sessions allows you to network and gain valuable insight and practical advice from our speakers, bringing real life experience and practical relevance to a dynamic learning environment.

Workshops

In addition to your course content, we offer a range of workshops designed to help you flourish both personally and professionally. With subjects ranging from strategic leadership to negotiation skills, you can expect to increase your self-confidence, discover new strengths and develop personal resilience. These workshops will give you the opportunity to create professional connections – gathered from fellow students, mentors, guest speakers and visiting professors – giving you a wealth of useful contacts.

Careers support

As a MBA graduate you will benefit from ongoing careers support both from the University of Surrey and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). Our strong networks and programme of social events and continuing professional development opportunities will help you to develop your career well into the future.

Alumni benefits

Membership to the Association of MBAs (AMBA) with benefits including a jobs portal, knowledge updates and continuing professional development (CPD) events, including an accelerated route into the CIMA professional qualification.

Membership to the local branch of Institute of Directors and access to Surrey Chambers of Commerce events.

A range of volunteering opportunities, including becoming an international or UK MBA ambassador, being a guest speaker, attending MBA fairs and events and becoming a Surrey Connect mentor to support other students.

Modules

Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.

The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.

The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:

Timetable

Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday–Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the course administrators. View our Timetabling Policy (PDF).

Our 12-month full-time MBA course runs to a standard timetable, with classes and other extracurricular activities scheduled on weekdays during term time.

Our 24-month executive (part-time) MBA course takes place across 17 weekends each year. Your timetable will become available to you prior to the start of each academic year.

Support

Entry requirements

Full-time MBA

A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification. You must also have at least three years postgraduate experience in a managerial role to apply. Candidates without a degree or less than 2:2 will be referred to the MBA Programme Director, as they may be accepted under exceptional circumstances where work experience is deemed to make up for the lack of academic qualification.

Executive (part-time) MBA

A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification. You must also have at least five years postgraduate experience in a managerial role to apply. Candidates without a degree or less than 2:2 will be referred to the MBA Programme Director, as they may be accepted under exceptional circumstances where work experience is deemed to make up for the lack of academic qualification.

English language requirements

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Selection process

Applications for the MBA will be sent to the MBA office for review. Those that meet minimum entry requirements will be invited for interview with the MBA Director or MBA Development Officer. The interview can be conducted in person or via Skype. This is an opportunity for the applicant to talk about why they want to do an MBA and ask any questions they may have. Once the interview is completed the application will be reviewed by the MBA Director who will make a final decision.

Credit transfer

The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If this applies to you, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience, or to join the start of a course without the formal entry requirements. This means that you may be exempt from certain elements of study in the course for which you have applied and be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.

Fees

These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2020-21 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.

If you are on a two-year full-time Euromasters or MFA programme, or a two-year or three-year part-time masters programme (excluding modular/self-paced/distance learning), the annual fee is payable in Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme.

Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.

Additional costs

There are no associated costs for this programme.

Optional expenses

You may wish to partake in our optional international study tour - £2,500 approximately.

Funding

Sponsorship

Many employers are willing to sponsor their staff to undertake an MBA. The benefits for employers can be substantial and it’s worth discussing sponsorship with your organisation. Sponsors may be able to support paying all your tuition fees or just a percentage - we are happy to receive fee payments from more than one source.

Scholarships and bursaries

We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.

If you any of your supporting documents are under 2MB, you can upload them along with your application form. If they are larger than this, please email them to us at admissions@surrey.ac.uk or post them to us at the following address:

Admissions Team
Floor 5
Duke of Kent Building
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 7XH.

Please also indicate in your application whether you wish to be considered for a scholarship.

2. Interview

Once you have made an application, you will receive an acknowledgement that this has been received. We will aim to contact all eligible applicants for an interview (face-to-face, Skype or telephone) within ten days of receiving an application.

If you have indicated that you wish to be considered for scholarship, we will also assess your eligibility during the same interview.

3. Offer and confirmation

If you are successful at interview, you will receive an offer to study with us along with confirmation as to whether we are granting you a scholarship. This offer will be sent by email and in the application portal. We ask that you confirm and accept your place electronically within 28 days of an offer.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) as a guide as to what to expect.

Please note: our offer terms and conditions will be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read more.